The Press., 1887-02-24

means for the improvement of their schOO opportunities. should meet with hearty on conragement from the public. CAST OF CHARACTERS.
 Duke H. Fisl
 ..................W. H. Heald
 MaQnifcos, ..............A G. Cumming
 ..................L. F. Eaton
 Clerk k........................... h. Richards Antonio, merchant of Venice. 70. B. Pinney sassisao sasssn,o Friends of AntOaio 2G%a' ao1me' Salarino. K. Taft, Jr Selenio .........................H. E. Burwell Portia a.....................Mi Miss Myrnie Washburn Nerissa, maid to Portia.. Miss JennieSpaulding Shylock, g Fl. Mullen
 It was thought sometime ago that the Methodist church in this place was about as complete and perfect in it's interior ar rangement and adornment as any country church in the state, but certain small repairs being done early in the winter sug- 9ested some betterments, and these have been carried out with the push and thor oughnees characteristic of the moving spir- it's of that church. To start the work the ladies gave their suite of rooms thorough Dverhauling, ceiling the overhead walls, painting, paperlng and newly carpeting them. The overhead work being done by Fl. M. Day and the side wall decorations by Messrs Bissett and Webber. Mean time the old heating apparatus in the ves- try, under MT. Anthony Adams supervis- ion, had been replaced with steel furnaces from the works of the Barstow Stove Com pany, at the same tlme the manner oi creating a circulation of pure, fresh, warm .ir completely changed and perfected, While this work was in progress MT. Day had his men at work ceiling the overhead wall of the vestry room. This last work with the finishing of the side walls was
 astefully decorated by Mir. B. Marsdale, assisted by Frank D. Converse. The cell ing is an attractive piece of work, the large surface being broken into finely propor- tioned quadrilaterals with maltese cross spanning the center of the room. The finish of the doors, castings, etc., IS of 8 dark rich cherry, which, in connection with the maroon trimmings on the ceiling, and in contrast with the ground work oi cteam color gives rich and beautiful ap- pearance to the commodious vestry. New carpeting on the altar platform, and the seats in the room newly painted, complete the work so far as the vestry proper IS con- cerned Last but by no means least IS the new library room opening out of the ves- try. The old room has been enlarged by removing partition and taking in space 5x18 feet from the vestry an additional window put in gives an abundance of light. Shelves to accommodate 700 volumes hne the walls on three sides of the new room, each book is provided with stall by itself, and by system of duplicate cards the distribution of books accelerated and sim- plified, while the registration is simple and purely mechanical The room is finished in cherry color, with neat and tasteful wall paper and carpet two distributing windows are provided, with ample receiv- ing aud distributing shelves. The library already contains about 450 volumes of high grade literature, and some 50 more volumes are to be added this week. The society have reason for pride in their equipped church, and it is hoped that the prosperity and success of the church under the two years pastorate of Rev E. M. Taylor, whose interest and ef- forts have had much to do with the recent changes, and to whom the church owes much for it's strength and unity, will con tlnue to be manifest for the credit and good of our village.
 The entertainment in honor of Wash ington's birthday at the M. E. church, conducted by the Chautauqua Union, sur passed the expectations of all, filling the evening with interesting exercises of vocal and instrumental music, etc. A recitation, in which Master Richard Ellis took the part of the boy whose thirst for information about the great George, especially his anxiety to get all the little details right, made his instructor tired, the latter being represented by Miss Leila Cunningham Vocal solos were given by Carl Converse, Prof. George of Norwich, Mrs. Burke, and W. Fl. Desper; Reclamation by Louis Converse; reading of Mark Twain's dis sertation on New England weather, by Miss Viola King; violin solos by B F. Taylor and Angelo Tipodino, G. D. Norman ac- companying the latter on plano; piano duets were played by Miss Georgie Wash burn and Miss Della Nichols, also solos by each; declamation by Carl Converse. Mrs. Burke's singing of ''Loving Heart Trust On'' gave much pleasure to the aud fence, as did the duet sung by Messrs. Desper and George. A piano duet by Miss Washburn and Mir. Desper closed g delightful program of just the right divers. ity and make up. The supper provided before the entertainment was well got up and enjoyed by large number. By gen eral consent large part of the credit fol the success of he.really fine entertainment is given to Miss Georgie Washburn.
 Among the guests at the G. A. R campfire last Thursday evening was Alber Fl. Wheeler of Southbridge, former member of Go B., 11th 0. ", and who removed p years ago from Stafford tt Southbridge, where be is now prominent business man and active citizen. For ma ny years he has been selectman, and alse was the last democratic candidate for sher if of Worcester county. He is brother O merchant Henry B. Wheeler of this vii lage.
 Ut was discovered on Tuesday tha the Methodist Episcopal church had beer struck by lightning, presumably on Friday night last. The bolt had left the rod, and passed into the ladies' parlor, enterine near the ceiling, passing down the wall ant stove pipe, and so through the zinc carpe and floor. The openings were small ant so was the damage. The escape from fir, was very fortunate one. Examination shows that an insulator had slipped iron place. allowing the lightning-rod to com l in contact with a staple, into which tn charge evidently passed. II is said tha the church was struck in the same wa, last summer. Several persons saw thi Hast Oharne aS if das0andAd fha rod